Wolves Weekly Press Notes for Nov. 24

The Chicago Wolves sputtered on offense last week as they were held to five goals in four games and collected three of a possible eight points, suffering 3-0 shutouts on both Tuesday in Adirondack and Sunday versus Rockford; the squad will look to turn it around and avenge the losses with three Midwest Division matchups this week, including a home-and-home against division-leading Rockford, but will have to do so against two of the stingiest teams in the league with the IceHogs’ 2.06 goals-against average (tied for 1st in the AHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals’ 2.16 (3rd).

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SHAKE IT OFF

The Chicago Wolves sputtered on offense last week as they were held to five goals in four games and collected three of a possible eight points, suffering 3-0 shutouts on both Tuesday in Adirondack and Sunday versus Rockford; the squad will look to turn it around and avenge the losses with three Midwest Division matchups this week, including a home-and-home against division-leading Rockford, but will have to do so against two of the stingiest teams in the league with the IceHogs’ 2.06 goals-against average (tied for 1st in the AHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals’ 2.16 (3rd).

WOLVES HEADLINERS

— Philip McRae: Registered three points (G, 2A) last week, including a multiple-point game and the game-winning tally in Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Iowa … Is tied with scoring leader Pat Cannone for the most multiple-point outings on the team, collecting four since Oct. 31 … Sits tied for second on the Wolves in goals (5), third in plus/minus rating (+7), and fourth in points (11) … Split last season between Tampara and Espoo in the SM-liiga, totaling 21 points (8G, 13A) in 53 games … Has accumulated 84 points (43G, 41A) in 166 career AHL games spanning four seasons with Peoria (2010-13) and Chicago (2014-present)

— Benn Ferriero: Posted his first goal in a Wolves uniform Saturday, beginning the rally that led to a win … The goal was his second point in as many games after dishing out an assist in Friday’s overtime loss … Has four points (G, 3A) in nine games since rejoining the lineup Nov. 8 following his recovery from spring shoulder surgery … Has accrued 176 points (72G, 104A) in 241 career AHL contests with Worcester, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Connecticut, Utica, and Chicago over a six-year professional career … Contributed 23 points (14G, 9A) in 98 NHL games with San Jose, the New York Rangers, and Vancouver

— Jordan Binnington: Saw his professional-best five-game winning streak snapped Tuesday in Adirondack, but rebounded to earn the win Saturday … Has not allowed an even-strength goal in his last 121 minutes, 1 second between the pipes … Holds a 6-2-1 record this season with a 1.89 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, ranking third in the league for GAA and first among rookies … Ranks among the top five rookie netminders in GAA (1st), save percentage (4th), wins (3rd), and minutes (5th) … Has accrued a career AHL record of 7-3-1, a 2.35 goals-against average, and .914 save percentage in 11 games since making his pro debut in 2011-12 with Peoria

— Brent Regner: Scored the equalizer in Milwaukee on Friday to take over the points lead among active team defensemen … Has contributed eight points (2G, 6A) in 19 games … His +8 plus/minus rating sits second on the team behind defensive partner Mathieu Brodeur … Has donned the captain’s ‘C’ since the beginning of the season … Ranks second among Wolves defensemen with 26 shots, behind rookie Petteri Lindbohm (41) … Was one of Chicago’s most consistent blueliners last season and has posted 33 points (5G, 28A) in 89 regular-season games for the team since arriving via trade in April 2013

WOLF TRACKS

— With his 362nd AHL win on Saturday versus Iowa, Wolves head coach JOHN ANDERSON moved into a tie for fifth place among the league’s all-time winningest bench bosses; he needs one more victory to take sole possession of the spot over Terry Reardon, but is still more than 150 wins behind fourth-place Roy Sommer, the only active coach ahead of him (Worcester).

— The Wolves played their second three-in-three of 2014-15 last week, dropping more than one game in the grueling stretches for the first time since April 19-21, 2013; after Dec. 20-22’s series, Chicago does not play another three-in-three until March when it closes out the season with them in all but one of the final four weeks.

— Chicago allowed multiple power-play goals (0 for 2) for the first time this season and first time since April 12, 2014, on Saturday when Iowa opened up a two-goal lead on the man-advantage; it was also the first time the Wolves have not killed off any penalties in a game since Nov. 23, 2013 against Grand Rapids (0 for 1).

— The Wolves have allowed the opening goal in four consecutive games and six of their last 10; the team is 7-1-1-0 when scoring first, but has only achieved that in nine of 19 games this season.

— The Midwest Division continues to remain tight, with the top three teams (Rockford, Chicago, and Milwaukee) all posting winning percentages of more than .650; the trio has a perfect combined record against division-mates Grand Rapids and Lake Erie (10-0-0-0) and holds an overall combined record of 26-5-1-2 (.809) when not playing each other.

Saturday, Nov. 22 (at) Chicago 3, Iowa 2 — The Wolves surrendered two early power-play goals to Iowa, but rallied to tally the game-winning goal with less than four minutes remaining in regulation at Allstate Arena — Forward Benn Ferriero notched his first goal in a Wolves uniform, right wing Ty Rattie scored the equalizer, and center Philip McRae won it late for the Wolves — Goaltender Jordan Binnington continued the impressive start to his rookie season, earning the win with 26 saves

Tuesday, Nov. 18 (at) Adirondack 3, Chicago 0 — The Wolves were shut out for the first time this season and first time on the road since 2012-13 as they fell in their inaugural meeting with the Flames at Glens Falls Civic Center — Chicago’s offense was shut down by goaltender Joni Ortio, who kicked out all 28 shots the Wolves fired on nt — Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 15 of 17 shots and had his professional-best winning streak snapped at five